Kentucky Hauntings

A Chivaree Gone Bad


Roberta's grandmother, Lou Ann Simpson, told about many customs that we did not read about in history books. This is one of her stories.

The chivaree was an odd, but popular, social custom that thrived in Appalachia until the end of World II. It took place in the early evening after a wedding. It was meant originally to scare off evil spirits and to provide an occasion to have some fun with the newlyweds—a kind of old-time version of the modern wedding reception.

In those days, the bride and groom usually had a home of their own to go to after the wedding. Often relatives of the couple helped build the house on land provided by the parents. Money was scarce, so there were practically no honeymoon trips. After the wedding ceremony at the church, the newly married couple would usually stay for a while and mingle with family and friends, who provided food and drinks for the occasion. Then the newlyweds would go to their new house to start their life together.

The chivaree was supposed to be a secret event, but most newlyweds expected it and accepted it as good fun. As dusk approached, relatives and neighbors would gather all the noisemakers they could find—everything from musical instruments to buckets and pots and pans to beat on—and would meet at some common location, like the church. Then they would proceed to the couple's house when it was just about dark.

First, they would march around the house, singing and making as much racket as they could. This usually brought the couple to the door, but if it didn't, they would stop at the front door and knock. When the couple opened the door, three or four men would grab the groom, seat him astride a split rail from an old rail fence, and carry him off into the woods. Not too far from the house, they would tie him loosely to a tree or a fence post and leave him for a while to see if he could get loose and find his way home by himself. If it took him too long, some of the men would go back and get him.

While this was going on, the bride would invite all the visitors inside and offer them cookies or cake, with maybe some coffee or lemonade. Sometimes the guests would bring along additional refreshments, and the chivaree would turn into a party. Usually there would be music and dancing until bedtime. By the time the groom rejoined the group, he had usually calmed down if he had been angry, and everybody had a good time, including him.

After we heard this story, we were glad this custom was no longer observed when we got married!



Deep in the Kentucky hills on the first of June many years ago, young Nellie Crenshaw and her longtime love, Jeff Barnes, exchanged vows in the little community church they had attended all their lives. Everybody knew the young couple and showed up to witness their marriage ceremony and to wish them good luck.

It was an especially beautiful wedding. The bride and groom had been childhood sweethearts, and this June day was the fulfillment of their dreams. They had heard whispers of a chivaree, but they went on their way home as if they suspected nothing more. The afternoon passed slowly and the sun set low. They ate an early supper, and Nellie made some cookies and a pot of coffee in anticipation of the visitors they expected to come. Jeff kept looking out the window, not eager for his upcoming role in the night's festivities. Determined to be a good sport, he just wanted to get it over with.

The setting sun was a prearranged signal for the relatives and neighbors to meet in the churchyard. As soon as everybody arrived with their noisemakers, the whole group headed to the young couple's house. Nellie and Jeff listened to the ruckus outside and then opened the door and faced their visitors. The group stopped the noise and began to serenade the young couple with “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” All was calm until the song ended.

As the singers were nearing the end of the song, two men quietly edged their way close to the door. When the last note was sung, they suddenly grabbed the groom, dragged him out into the yard, and seated him on the split rail from the fence. Jeff offered the expected resistance, but went along with the prank. Off they went with him across the field to the woods behind the house, with everyone cheering and shouting. Those left behind joined the bride inside to set out the food and drinks. They laughed and talked while they waited.

Meanwhile, the men stopped near the foot of a tree that stood at the edge of a small clearing not far into the woods. The surrounding woods were already filling with shadows as the men tied Jeff loosely to a tree. Laughter and music were drifting across the field from the house where the party was getting under way. Figuring Jeff would be back to join the party in around half an hour, the men turned to leave.

“Come on, fellows,” Jeff called out. “You can't leave me here like this. You know a bear was spotted in these woods two days ago. Come on. You've had your fun, but it's dangerous. Now untie me!”